WoW Forever Rogue Races: what races can be a Rogue

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WoW Forever Rogue races and racialsThe 9 races that can be a Rogue in WoW Forever and every racial each one has, in full, from the beta client. What each does, not which to pick. Last checked against beta build 1.60.1.70685 hotfixes on 30 Oct 2026.

Nine races can be a Rogue: Horde Orc, Undead, Troll and Skyborne (Windshaper); Alliance Human, Dwarf, Night Elf, Gnome and Skyborne (High Order). The Skyborne are new to the game in WoW Forever. Skyborne (High Order) and Skyborne (Windshaper) are new to Rogue since Classic. Every race's racials are on the racials page; this page keeps only the Rogue races.

Racials that touch a Rogue's kit

Stealth

QuicknessNight ElfNight Elf Rogues and Druids are harder to detect in Stealth as if they were 1 level higher.
ShadowmeldNight ElfInstant, 10 sec cooldown. Activate to slip into the shadows, reducing the chance for enemies to detect your presence. Lasts until cancelled or upon moving. Using this ability in combat discourages enemies from attacking you, but increases the cooldown to 2 min.
PerceptionHumanInstant, 3 min cooldown. Dramatically increases stealth detection for 20 sec.

Crit and hit

RuthlessHumanIncreases your critical strike chance with all spells and attacks by 1%.
Artisan's PrecisionDwarfIncreases hit chance with spells and attacks by 1%.

Breaking control

Will of the ForsakenUndeadInstant, 2 min cooldown. Instantly removes all Charm, Fear and Sleep effects.
Will to SurviveHumanInstant, 3 min cooldown. Instantly removes all Stun effects.
HardinessOrcDuration of Stun effects on you reduced by 20%.
Escape ArtistGnomeInstant, 2 min cooldown. Instantly escape the effects of any movement impairing effect and gain immunity to those effects for 3 sec.
StoneformDwarfInstant, 3 min cooldown. Instantly removes and grants immunity to all Bleed, Poison, and Disease effects, and reduces all Physical damage taken by 10% for 8 sec.

Damage and Energy

Blood FuryOrcInstant, 2 min cooldown. Increases Attack Power and Spell Power by 10% for 15 sec.
BerserkingTrollInstant, 3 min cooldown. Increases your spellcasting and attack speed by 10% for 15 sec.
Elune's LightNight ElfInstant, 3 min cooldown. Increases your critical strike chance with all spells and attacks by 10% for 15 sec.
Wind BlessedSkyborne (Windshaper) and Skyborne (High Order)Increases your spellcasting, melee, and ranged Haste by 2%.
Expansive MindGnomeMaximum Mana, Rage or Energy increased by 5%, whichever your class uses.
Eureka!GnomeFor 8 sec, your non-periodic damaging abilities cost 10% less (Mana, Rage or Energy) and deal 10% more damage.

What each does, not which to pick.

What each race gives a Rogue, at a glance

For each race, the racials whose text touches crit, hit, attack power, haste, Energy, health, dodge, damage taken, loss of control and damage dealt, in the racial's own words with its cooldown. Races are in the game's order, not ranked; every racial is in full further down.

Horde
Orc	Blood Fury attack power, 2 min cooldown: Increases Attack Power and Spell Power by 10% for 15 sec. Hardiness loss of control: Duration of Stun effects on you reduced by 20%. Shatter Curse damage taken, 3 min cooldown: Instantly removes all Curses and Banes, and reduces all Magical damage taken by 5% for 8 sec.
Undead	Will of the Forsaken loss of control, 2 min cooldown: Instantly removes all Charm, Fear and Sleep effects. Touch of the Grave health: Your spells and attacks with a damage part have a chance (30% for casters, 20% for Paladins, Rogues and Warriors) to drain Health from the target, up to 5% of your maximum Health.
Troll	Berserking haste, 3 min cooldown: Increases your spellcasting and attack speed by 10% for 15 sec. Regeneration health: Health regeneration rate increased by 20%. In addition, 20% of total Health regeneration will continue during combat. Beast Slaying damage dealt: Damage dealt versus Beasts increased by 5%. Rapid Regeneration health, 3 min cooldown: Regenerate 50% of your maximum Health over 6 sec.
Skyborne (Windshaper)	Elemental Insight damage dealt: Damage dealt versus Elementals increased by 5%. Wind Blessed haste: Increases your spellcasting, melee, and ranged Haste by 2%.
Alliance
Human	Ruthless crit: Increases your critical strike chance with all spells and attacks by 1%. Will to Survive loss of control, 3 min cooldown: Instantly removes all Stun effects.
Dwarf	Stoneform damage taken, 3 min cooldown: Instantly removes and grants immunity to all Bleed, Poison, and Disease effects, and reduces all Physical damage taken by 10% for 8 sec. Big Game Hunter damage dealt: Damage dealt versus Beasts increased by 5%.
Night Elf	Quickness dodge: Dodge chance increased by 1% and movement speed increased by 2%. Elune's Light crit, 3 min cooldown: Increases your critical strike chance with all spells and attacks by 10% for 15 sec.
Gnome	Escape Artist loss of control, 2 min cooldown: Instantly escape the effects of any movement impairing effect and gain immunity to those effects for 3 sec. Expansive Mind Energy: Maximum Mana, Rage or Energy increased by 5%, whichever your class uses. Eureka! Energy, damage dealt, 2 min cooldown: For 8 sec, your non-periodic damaging abilities cost 10% less (Mana, Rage or Energy) and deal 10% more damage.
Skyborne (High Order)	Elemental Insight damage dealt: Damage dealt versus Elementals increased by 5%. Wind Blessed haste: Increases your spellcasting, melee, and ranged Haste by 2%.

Orc Horde

Blood FuryInstant, 2 min cooldown. Increases Attack Power and Spell Power by 10% for 15 sec.
HardinessDuration of Stun effects on you reduced by 20%.
CommandDamage dealt by Hunter and Warlock pets increased by 5%.
Shatter CurseInstant, 3 min cooldown. Instantly removes all Curses and Banes, and reduces all Magical damage taken by 5% for 8 sec.

Changed on the beta: Blood Fury (build 70425, 15 Oct 2026), Shatter Curse (build 70425, 15 Oct 2026), Axe Specialization (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026), Hardiness (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026), Shatter Curse (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026).

For a Rogue: Axe Specialization is gone, and Savage, the 1% crit that replaced it, was removed on 26 Oct. Command is back, but it only helps Hunter and Warlock pets. Blood Fury no longer cuts your healing, and since 27 Oct its cooldown is 2 minutes again, as in Classic. Shatter Curse is new: it throws off curses and takes 5% off magic damage for 8 seconds.

Undead Horde

Underwater BreathingUnderwater breath lasts 300% longer than normal.
Will of the ForsakenInstant, 2 min cooldown. Instantly removes all Charm, Fear and Sleep effects.
Cannibalize5 yd range, Instant, 2 min cooldown. When activated, regenerates 7% of total Health and 7% of total Mana every 2 sec for 10 sec. Only works on Humanoid or Undead corpses within 5 yds. Any movement, action, or damage taken while Cannibalizing will cancel the effect.
Touch of the GraveYour spells and attacks with a damage part have a chance (30% for casters, 20% for Paladins, Rogues and Warriors) to drain Health from the target, up to 5% of your maximum Health. 15 sec internal cooldown. Does not break crowd control.

Changed on the beta: Touch of the Grave (build 70425, 15 Oct 2026), Touch of the Grave (build 70009, 24 Sep 2026), Cannibalize (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026), Touch of the Grave (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026), Underwater Breathing (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026), Will of the Forsaken (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026).

For a Rogue: Will of the Forsaken still shakes off a fear, charm or sleep, but no longer leaves you immune for 5 seconds after. Touch of the Grave is new: your attacks have a 20% chance to drain health back, at most once every 15 seconds since 27 Oct (25 before).

Blizzard's notes: Undead will no longer have Will of the Forsaken available to them while under the effects of Scatter Shot. (build 70425) Touch of the Dead no longer scales with Shadow increases on the target or the caster. (build 70425) Touch of the Dead no longer suffers from a decreased multiplier when a lower ranked spell is used. (build 70425) Touch of the Dead now has a 30% chance to activate for casters and a 20% chance to activate for Paladins/Rogues/Warriors, as well as a 25 second internal cooldown. (build 70425) Fixed an issue where Will of the Forsaken could sometimes not be used while asleep or charmed. (build 70291) Cannibalize cannot be used if the caster is immune to Physical damage. (build 70170) This means that Shadow Word: Pain activates it on cast, but not on periodic damage. Distract won't activate it, you can't pull Rogues and Druids out of Stealth with Distract and it activating, and you won't activate it off of Pickpocketing. Spells like Polymorph already didn't get broken by Touch of the Grave, but Polymorph will no longer be able to activate it. (build 70009)

Troll Horde

BerserkingInstant, 3 min cooldown. Increases your spellcasting and attack speed by 10% for 15 sec.
RegenerationHealth regeneration rate increased by 20%. In addition, 20% of total Health regeneration will continue during combat.
Beast SlayingDamage dealt versus Beasts increased by 5%.
Rapid RegenerationChanneled, 3 min cooldown. Regenerate 50% of your maximum Health over 6 sec. Any movement, action, or damage taken will cancel the effect.

Changed on the beta: Regeneration (build 70425, 15 Oct 2026), Beast Slaying (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026), Rapid Regeneration (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026), Regeneration (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026).

For a Rogue: Berserking costs no Energy now and is a flat 10% faster, for 15 seconds since 27 Oct (10 before). Regeneration is 20% now, double Classic's, and 20% of it keeps going in a fight. Rapid Regeneration is new: stand still and heal half your health over 6 seconds.

Skyborne (Windshaper) Horde, new to Rogue since Classic

Walk on AirInstant, 1.5 min cooldown. Glide downward through the air for 10 sec while controlling your direction of travel.
Skysight0.5 sec cast, 2 min cooldown. Increases your movement speed by 15% for 15 sec. Used at an elemental convergence it also grants Charged for 1 hour, which raises the bonus to 30%. Charged persists through death and ends when you enter a raid.
Elemental InsightDamage dealt versus Elementals increased by 5%.
Wind BlessedIncreases your spellcasting, melee, and ranged Haste by 2%.

Changed on the beta: Skysight (the server hotfixes to build 70425, 20 Oct 2026), Wind Blessed (the server hotfixes to build 70425, 20 Oct 2026), Walk on Air (build 70425, 15 Oct 2026), Wind Blessed (build 70425, 15 Oct 2026), Elemental Insight (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026), Skysight (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026), Wind Blessed (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026).

For a Rogue: A race Classic doesn't have. Wind Blessed is 2% haste all the time, down from 3% on 26 Oct, Walk on Air is a 10 second glide every 90 seconds, and Elemental Insight only helps against Elementals. Windshapers get Skysight, 15% more run speed for 15 seconds, or 30% for an hour once you use it at an elemental convergence, until you enter a raid.

Blizzard's notes: Shenthul in Orgrimmar will now train Windshaper Skyborne. (build 70170) Skysight: Now castable while moving. (build 70425) Increased the number of spawn locations of Elemental Convergences and Leylines in most Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor zones. (build 70425)

Human Alliance

RuthlessIncreases your critical strike chance with all spells and attacks by 1%.
The Human SpiritSpirit increased by 10%.
PerceptionInstant, 3 min cooldown. Dramatically increases stealth detection for 20 sec.
Will to SurviveInstant, 3 min cooldown. Instantly removes all Stun effects.

Changed on the beta: Ruthless (the server hotfixes to build 70425, 20 Oct 2026), The Human Spirit (the server hotfixes to build 70425, 20 Oct 2026), Sword Specialization (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026), The Human Spirit (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026).

For a Rogue: Will to Survive is new: it breaks a stun, every 3 minutes, which no Rogue skill can do. Sword Specialization is gone and Ruthless gives 1% crit with any weapon, daggers too, halved from 2% on 26 Oct. Perception still sharpens your stealth detection for 20 seconds.

Dwarf Alliance

Find TreasureInstant. Allows the dwarf to sense nearby treasure, making it appear on the minimap. Lasts until canceled.
StoneformInstant, 3 min cooldown. Instantly removes and grants immunity to all Bleed, Poison, and Disease effects, and reduces all Physical damage taken by 10% for 8 sec.
Artisan's PrecisionIncreases hit chance with spells and attacks by 1%.
Big Game HunterDamage dealt versus Beasts increased by 5%.

Changed on the beta: Big Game Hunter (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026), Find Treasure (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026), Mace Specialization (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026), Stoneform (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026).

For a Rogue: Stoneform clears and blocks poisons, bleeds and disease and takes 10% off the physical damage you take for 8 seconds, where Classic's gave 10% armor. Artisan's Precision is new on 26 Oct: 1% more chance to hit with your attacks and spells, in place of Earth Fury's 2% crit damage bonus.

Blizzard's notes: Find Treasure: Now also grants a chance to find additional items in most chests. (build 70425)

Night Elf Alliance

ShadowmeldInstant, 10 sec cooldown. Activate to slip into the shadows, reducing the chance for enemies to detect your presence. Lasts until cancelled or upon moving. Using this ability in combat discourages enemies from attacking you, but increases the cooldown to 2 min.
QuicknessDodge chance increased by 1% and movement speed increased by 2%. Night Elf Rogues and Druids are harder to detect in Stealth as if they were 1 level higher.
Wisp SpiritTransform into a wisp upon death, increasing movement speed by 75%.
Elune's LightInstant, 3 min cooldown. Increases your critical strike chance with all spells and attacks by 10% for 15 sec.

Changed on the beta: Quickness (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026), Shadowmeld (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026), Wisp Spirit (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026).

For a Rogue: Shadowmeld works in a fight now and discourages enemies from attacking you, on a 2 minute cooldown when you use it that way. Your Stealth still counts as a level better, and Elune's Light is new: 10% more crit for 15 seconds. Quickness adds 2% run speed now, and Blizzard says it stacks with other speed.

Blizzard's notes: Quickness: Movement speed increase now stacks with other movement speed increases. (build 70425)

Gnome Alliance

Escape ArtistInstant, 2 min cooldown. Instantly escape the effects of any movement impairing effect and gain immunity to those effects for 3 sec.
Expansive MindMaximum Mana, Rage or Energy increased by 5%, whichever your class uses.
Engineering SpecializationYour gnomish ingenuity reduces the rate of engineering devices failing or backfiring when you use them by 20%.
Eureka!Instant, 2 min cooldown. For 8 sec, your non-periodic damaging abilities cost 10% less (Mana, Rage or Energy) and deal 10% more damage. For Priests, your non-periodic damaging or healing abilities cost 10% less Mana and do 10% more damage or healing. Periodic effects get nothing from it; a channeled spell is not periodic. The Mage's own tooltip is the one that leaves out non-periodic.

Changed on the beta: Eureka! (build 70425, 15 Oct 2026), Eureka! (build 70170, 1 Oct 2026), Eureka! (build 70009, 24 Sep 2026), Engineering Specialization (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026), Escape Artist (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026), Eureka! (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026), Expansive Mind (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026).

For a Rogue: Expansive Mind gives you 5% more maximum Energy now, and Eureka! makes your strikes 10% cheaper and 10% harder for 8 seconds. Escape Artist is instant, with 3 seconds of immunity to slows and roots, on a 2 minute cooldown.

Blizzard's notes: Eureka cannot correctly be used while in stealth or invisibility. (build 70425) Eureka does not affect every Damaging Spell or Healing Spell for some classes. This is fixed in a later build. (build 70170)

Skyborne (High Order) Alliance, new to Rogue since Classic

Walk on AirInstant, 1.5 min cooldown. Glide downward through the air for 10 sec while controlling your direction of travel.
Read Leyline2 sec cast, 2 min cooldown. Increases your Health and Mana regeneration by 50% for 15 sec. Used at a Ley Line it also grants Attuned for 1 hour, which raises the bonus to 100%. Attuned persists through death and ends when you enter a raid. Cannot be used while Innervate is active.
Elemental InsightDamage dealt versus Elementals increased by 5%.
Wind BlessedIncreases your spellcasting, melee, and ranged Haste by 2%.

Changed on the beta: Read Leyline (the server hotfixes to build 70425, 20 Oct 2026), Wind Blessed (the server hotfixes to build 70425, 20 Oct 2026), Walk on Air (build 70425, 15 Oct 2026), Wind Blessed (build 70425, 15 Oct 2026), Elemental Insight (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026), Read Ley Line (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026), Wind Blessed (build 69876, 16 Sep 2026).

For a Rogue: A race Classic doesn't have. The same Wind Blessed, Walk on Air and Elemental Insight. The High Order get Read Leyline where Windshapers get Skysight: 50% faster health regeneration for 15 seconds, or 100% for an hour once you use it at a Ley Line, until you enter a raid.

Blizzard's notes: Increased the number of spawn locations of Elemental Convergences and Leylines in most Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor zones. (build 70425)

Questions

What races can be a Rogue in WoW Forever?: 9: Horde: Orc, Undead, Troll and Skyborne (Windshaper); Alliance: Human, Dwarf, Night Elf, Gnome and Skyborne (High Order). The Skyborne are new to the game in WoW Forever. New to Rogue since Classic: Skyborne (High Order) and Skyborne (Windshaper).
Can a Skyborne be a Rogue in WoW Forever?: Yes: the Horde's Skyborne (Windshaper) and the Alliance's Skyborne (High Order). Blizzard's notes for build 70170, on the Skyborne: "Shenthul in Orgrimmar will now train Windshaper Skyborne."
Can a Tauren be a Rogue in WoW Forever?: No. In the beta client Tauren can be Warrior, Hunter, Shaman and Druid, not Rogue. The Rogue races are Orc, Undead, Troll, Skyborne (Windshaper), Human, Dwarf, Night Elf, Gnome and Skyborne (High Order).
Do Rogue racials have cooldowns?: 17 of the 36 racials across the Rogue races have one: Blood Fury (Orc, 2 min), Shatter Curse (Orc, 3 min), Will of the Forsaken (Undead, 2 min), Cannibalize (Undead, 2 min), Berserking (Troll, 3 min), Rapid Regeneration (Troll, 3 min), Walk on Air (Skyborne (Windshaper), 1.5 min), Skysight (Skyborne (Windshaper), 2 min), Perception (Human, 3 min), Will to Survive (Human, 3 min), Stoneform (Dwarf, 3 min), Shadowmeld (Night Elf, 10 sec), Elune's Light (Night Elf, 3 min), Escape Artist (Gnome, 2 min), Eureka! (Gnome, 2 min), Walk on Air (Skyborne (High Order), 1.5 min) and Read Leyline (Skyborne (High Order), 2 min). The rest are passive or have none.
Which Rogue racials touch spells, Energy, melee or defence?: Spells and attacks: Blood Fury (Orc, increases Attack Power and Spell Power by 10% for 15 sec), Berserking (Troll, increases your spellcasting and attack speed by 10% for 15 sec), Wind Blessed (Skyborne (Windshaper), increases your spellcasting, melee, and ranged Haste by 2%), Ruthless (Human, increases your critical strike chance with all spells and attacks by 1%), Elune's Light (Night Elf, increases your critical strike chance with all spells and attacks by 10% for 15 sec) and Wind Blessed (Skyborne (High Order), increases your spellcasting, melee, and ranged Haste by 2%). Energy: Expansive Mind (Gnome, maximum Mana, Rage or Energy increased by 5%, whichever your class uses) and Eureka! (Gnome, for 8 sec, your non-periodic damaging abilities cost 10% less (Mana, Rage or Energy) and deal 10% more damage). Damage taken and effects on you: Hardiness (Orc, duration of Stun effects on you reduced by 20%), Shatter Curse (Orc, reduces all Magical damage taken by 5% for 8 sec), Stoneform (Dwarf, instantly removes and grants immunity to all Bleed, Poison, and Disease effects; reduces all Physical damage taken by 10% for 8 sec) and Escape Artist (Gnome, instantly escape the effects of any movement impairing effect and gain immunity to those effects for 3 sec). Health: Touch of the Grave (Undead, your spells and attacks with a damage part have a chance (30% for casters, 20% for Paladins, Rogues and Warriors) to drain Health from the target, up to 5% of your maximum Health), Regeneration (Troll, health regeneration rate increased by 20%; in addition, 20% of total Health regeneration will continue during combat) and Rapid Regeneration (Troll, regenerate 50% of your maximum Health over 6 sec). Which fits is yours to decide.
Which race is most popular for Rogue?: Talents Forever does not count which race players pick, so no race is ranked; the table above shows what each one gives a Rogue.

Last checked against beta build 1.60.1.70685 hotfixes on 30 Oct 2026. Racials and the race list from the WoW Forever beta client; beta changes from the beta build tracker. New to Rogue: Classic client 1.15.9 against the beta client. No race is ranked here: which one fits is yours to decide.

Also for Rogues: the most popular builds, the leveling order, every talent in words, what changed since Classic, the abilities, new and changed, questions answered from the data, and the Rogue calculator.